Sonics arena interior renderings (3-14-13)

March 14, 2013 10:39 AM

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We've shown you plenty of design renderings for the outside of Seattle's proposed basketball and hockey arena. But now we've got new renderings of the inside of the venue -- specifically, the seating bowl. These nine images were released Wednesday on SonicsArena.com; click through the gallery to view them all.

In this rendering of the outside of the arena, you can get a good idea of the shape of the main seating bowl. Arena seating would be located inside of the central ''turbine,'' pictured here with green lighting though depicted in all past renderings as bright orange.

We've shown you plenty of design renderings for the outside of Seattle's proposed basketball and hockey arena. But now we've got new renderings of the inside of the venue -- specifically, the seating bowl. ... more

Here's our first look inside. Check out the rings of yellow-lined seats along the top. Chris Hansen's group has dubbed them ''Sonic Rings,'' and they essentially are the third seating deck split into three balconies lining the top portion of the turbine. In a blog post, Hansen said the Sonic Rings allow the lower bowl to be steeper, resulting in improved sight-lines for all fans and allowing the turbine to have a relatively small footprint.

Here's our first look inside. Check out the rings of yellow-lined seats along the top. Chris Hansen's group has dubbed them ''Sonic Rings,'' and they essentially are the third seating deck split into three ... more

Here the lower bowl is seen from the concourse level of the proposed arena. One Sonic Ring is barely in frame at the top. Obviously, in this rendering the arena is configured for basketball, and you can see where the suites and box seats would be located. Just behind the courtside seats are what Hansen's group is calling ''pocket suites.'' The separated seats around the midsection of the bowl are what are known as ''loge suites.''

Here the lower bowl is seen from the concourse level of the proposed arena. One Sonic Ring is barely in frame at the top. Obviously, in this rendering the arena is configured for basketball, and you can see ... more

Here the lower bowl is seen from the concourse level of the... Photo-4325044.58422 - seattlepi.com

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The pocket suites would be relatively open to provide direct access to the proposed arena's premium seats, as seen in the rendering above. Note the hardwood floors and the billiards table at the bottom of the frame.

The pocket suites would be relatively open to provide direct access to the proposed arena's premium seats, as seen in the rendering above. Note the hardwood floors and the billiards table at the bottom of the ... more

The pocket suites would be relatively open to provide direct access... Photo-4325045.58422 - seattlepi.com

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Here we get a rendering of the view from the Sonic Rings, looking down at the playing surface. ''We believe that pushing the entirety of the seating bowl closer to the court and having 2,000-4,000 fans literally overhanging the game not only creates the most intimate venue in the NBA,'' Hansen wrote, ''but will also provide you with the opportunity to create the loudest, most energetic atmosphere in yet another pro sport -- or better yet two!''

Here we get a rendering of the view from the Sonic Rings, looking down at the playing surface. ''We believe that pushing the entirety of the seating bowl closer to the court and having 2,000-4,000 fans ... more

Here we get a rendering of the view from the Sonic Rings, looking... Photo-4325046.58422 - seattlepi.com

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This rendering shows the expected view for television cameras at the proposed arena. Watch the video below for a full-motion 3D rendering of the interior of the proposed arena.

This rendering shows the expected view for television cameras at the proposed arena. Watch the video below for a full-motion 3D rendering of the interior of the proposed arena.

This rendering shows the expected view for television cameras at... Photo-4325047.58422 - seattlepi.com

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Here you can see the Sonic Rings in all their glory. Hansen wrote that the rings would provide lots of seating flexibility, allowing arena operators to open or close the rings depending on the event. For instance, the rings could be closed for more intimate concerts. In this rendering, the proposed arena's seating bowl and its Sonic Rings are compared to the steepness and arrangement at Amway Center (shown in red) in Orlando, Fla.

Here you can see the Sonic Rings in all their glory. Hansen wrote that the rings would provide lots of seating flexibility, allowing arena operators to open or close the rings depending on the event. For ... more

Here you can see the Sonic Rings in all their glory. Hansen wrote... Photo-4325048.58422 - seattlepi.com

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Here the proposed Seattle arena's bowl is compared to the seating arrangement at the new Barklays Center (shown in red), where the Brooklyn Nets play in New York. ''We designed the unconventional seating bowl to be ideally suited for music as well,'' Hansen wrote. ''The uniqueness of the seating bowl and flex capacity of the Sonic Rings create a much more intimate venue for concerts of varying sizes. The Sonic Rings will also have sound treatment directly behind their seats, adding to the natural sound absorption of the rings themselves.''

Here the proposed Seattle arena's bowl is compared to the seating arrangement at the new Barklays Center (shown in red), where the Brooklyn Nets play in New York. ''We designed the unconventional seating bowl ... more

And here, Seattle's proposed arena is compared to the bowl at Staples Center in Los Angeles (shown in red). ''This introduction of the Sonic Rings and resulting compression of the seating bowl significantly reduces the roof spans -- which makes for a more cost-effective and sustainable building,'' Hansen wrote. ''There will be renewable energy features as well as an aggressive water recapture and cisterning solution that will reuse rainwater inside the building and in the water features in the north plaza.''

And here, Seattle's proposed arena is compared to the bowl at Staples Center in Los Angeles (shown in red). ''This introduction of the Sonic Rings and resulting compression of the seating bowl significantly ... more